Argentinian entrepreneurs decided to collect money for their new business idea and placed all the information online.

To their surprise, they received much more money than they needed – the initial goal was to collect $75,000 and they collected almost half a million dollars – and it happened within a week.

Impressed?

So do I.

Let’s learn more.

Gi FlyBikea

Gi FlyBike is an electric, smart, maintenance-free, folding bicycle with full-size, 26” wheels that was created for convenient commuting.

It is crafted from lightweight aircraft grade aluminum and can be taken anywhere without compromise. Gi FlyBike gives people exactly what they need.

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Here are some of the things that the bicycle offers:

Recyclable material

Gi FlyBike is made from 100% recyclable aircraft grade aluminum alloy and is manufactured with a CNC machine, the same used in airplane manufacturing.

Electric ‘flight’ assistance

Gi FlyBike is an electric bike: each time you pedal, you will be assisted by a smart electric engine that makes your commute easy, propelling you up hills and going 40 miles (64 kilometers) on one charge of the LifePo battery.

Whether traveling uphill or on a difficult terrain you will always remain in motion, with three levels of assistance available allowing a maximum speed of 15 mph (24 kilometers). The brushless 250 watts 36-volt hub motor is manufactured by Bafang.

Lightweight design

The bike’s lightweight design (37 lbs), allows you to swiftly ready the bike both

for both storage and use. Additionally, Gi FlyBike, unlike its competitors, has normal,

26x 1.5” wheels with disc brakes.

Pedaling pays off

The pedals will not only take you where you need to go, but also charge your phone so you can stay connected as you get from point A to B.

Synchronization

Gi FlyBike is as smart as any cell phone. Sync it with your smartphone by attaching it to the bike’s control panel and you’ll be able to have a ride with a full-view navigation system.

Gi FlyBike application

The Gi FlyBike application allows for full control of all the bike’s features including its electric assistance, GPS system, smart lock, and smart lights. On top of that, it has its own bike sharing program: loan your Gi FlyBike to a friend with a secure request access code, share your favorite routes over social media and track your personal fitness statistics.

Smart locking system

Your Gi FlyBike will lock automatically once you are 15 feet from the folded bike. The Gi FlyBike application detects the distance and does the locking job for you.

Sharing program

You can share your Gi FlyBike in a safe way. Just use you mobile app to send your friend an exclusive unlocking code. The code ensures that that person, and only that person, can use the bike.

Anti-puncture tires

Gi FlyBike has solid tires: soft enough for the ride, hard enough not to give out to sharp obstacles.

Non-grease belt drive

The electric folding bicycle is grease-free thanks to the carbon belt that doesn’t require a lubricant.

Saddle

A shock absorbing system and silicone gel inserts with thickness around the cutout ensures passenger’s comfort.

Specifications

History of creation

Everything started a few years ago in Argentina.

One day a national strike paralyzed public transportation across the country and a team of engineers decided to solve this problem.

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Here’s what they say inspired them:

“The strike inspired us to delve into the kinds of problems commuters face, and to critically examine alternative forms of transportation.”

“During and even after the strike, we noticed that commuters wanted the kind of independence that is incompatible with public transit; they also wanted agility that cars cannot offer, with as little environmental impact as possible. This has been the inspiration behind the design of Gi FlyBike.”

A few words about Gi FlyBike team

Lucas Toledo - Co-Founder

A city native, an economist by training, and entrepreneur with a passion for technology, Lucas has always been committed to improving urban life. Gi FlyBike is Lucas’ third company. He is a two-time TED speaker and has earned various awards including Ford Motor Company’s Future of Mobility Award, the Government of Cordoba’s Entrepreneurial Ideas Challenge, and the Industrial Referents of Argentina and Latin America Award. Lucas is highly involved in the entrepreneur community in Cordoba, and a frequent mentor for other entrepreneurs.

Agustin Agustinoy - Co-Founder

Agustin is the product designer behind Gi FlyBike. His electrical engineering and industrial design backgrounds resonate throughout the bike’s design. He has worked in areas including software programming, interface development, project management and design. Agustin is most interested in the intersection of mobility and efficiency and takes pride in creating minimalistic designs that favor function over aesthetics.

Eric Sevillia - Co-Founder

Eric has worked closely with venture-backed startups and mid-sized companies advising owner-entrepreneurs and families on transactions in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Eric has worked on deals spanning technology, specialty retail, the Internet, healthcare, publishing, consumer products, financial services, and logistics, among others. He holds a Bachelors Degree of Science with a double major in Economics and Finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University.